There has been media coverage today following a report in the Telegraph speculating on the government’s approach to tackling anti-Muslim hatred.
The government is firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred. That’s why we regularly engage with a wide variety of faith communities to foster strong working relationships and understand the issues they face.
We are also exploring a new approach to tackling the issue of racial and religious hatred, with further detail on this work to be set out in due course.
Some coverage raises concerns about the prospect of a future Islamophobia definition infringing on freedom of expression. We are clear on this matter: no blasphemy laws will be introduced under this government. Any new definition of Islamophobia must be given careful consideration, acknowledging British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.
An MHCLG spokesperson said:
"No blasphemy laws will be introduced by this government.
“We are firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred. We will provide further updates on this in due course.”